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Notebook Uruguay goalie's performance could take him elsewhere
CALI, Colombia (AP) -- Uruguay won't win the Copa America, but goalie Gustavo Munua might. The 23-year-old goalkeeper was brilliant in Uruguay's 2-1 loss to Mexico on Wednesday, making save after impossible save to keep Uruguay in the game. "It was a beautiful night, memorable," Munua said after the game. "It's a shame we didn't win." Munua, who already had drawn attention for his play in the tournament, now dreams of following the path of Fabian Carini, the Uruguayan keeper who was contracted by Italy's Juventus after his stellar play in the 1999 Copa America. "I'm just starting," he said. "I still have a long way to go, but I dream of going far." Uruguay, a 14-time winner of the Copa America, now heads for the consolation game on Saturday in Bogota. "We gave it our all, but we just couldn't do it," he said. "We fought to the last minute and we are satisfied with our effort." Role ModelThe Colombian government believes that its success in staging the Copa America makes Colombia an example for other nations. Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto said Colombia showed courage and capability in holding the tournament despite domestic political violence. "Colombia is a valiant country, a country that, in spite of its difficulties, rises above them," he said. "It's a good example for many other countries." A rash of bombings and political kidnappings led the South American Soccer Confederation to suspend the tournament 11 days before kickoff. The body then reversed its decision, and the Copa America began on July 11 as scheduled. The games have been a success, and the feared violence by leftist guerrillas hasn't materialized. "The success we have achieved with the Copa is the best demonstration that we are the majority of Colombians," de Soto said. "We are capable of uniting to achieve a goal."
Brazil's NightmareTele Santana has coached and played on many Brazilian teams over the decades. But he can't believe what he saw in the Copa America. "I never thought I'd live to see Brazil lose to Honduras," the 70-year-old coach said in an interview with the Brazilian daily O Globo. "It's shameful, because our athletes are lost," he said. Santana, a former all-star forward, is best remembered for coaching the Brazilian team in the World Cup of 1982 and 1986. On Monday, the four-time World Cup champions were eliminated 2-0 by Honduras. Brazilians haven't forgotten how to play, Santana said, but something is missing. "They still have soccer in their feet, but they don't send it to their heads, with talent, creativity, love, respect and pride to wear the Brazilian jersey." If Brazil wants to be No. 1 again, the team should abandon defensive strategies and show its offensive skills, he said. "Soccer is a passion of the multitudes, which must be seen with the eyes and felt with the heart," Santana said.
National ColorsThe red, yellow and blue of the Colombian flag and white representing peace will color El Campin stadium for Sunday's final of the Copa America. The mayor's office of Bogota will hand out colored cardboard at the stadium on Sunday so fans can form two flags in the stands, organizers said. White was proposed by labor unions, media and other groups as a protest against kidnapping, which is prevalent in Colombia. "One team for the freedom of all," was the slogan of the promoters' campaign, which suggested that Colombians wear white. President Andres Pastrana has called the tournament "the Cup of Peace." "At least on Sunday, let us take a white cloth and wave it during the game as a sign of peace," Pastrana said. "Colombians can live in peace, and we want peace."
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